Summer League Thread

[Pure Hatred]

Thad was pretty horrible today, though not as bad as yesterday even though his statline was better yesterday. He wasn't forcing as much as yesterday and looked like a pretty willing passer off the double teams, unlike yesterday, and got the Speights the ball on the block. Think the HCs might have had a talk wit him and told him to play within himself more. Much less sloppy from Thad.

[tk76]

Game archive up (a bit of dead air the first minute): http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nba ... was_26.asx

Speights highlight clip from last night: http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nba ... 080716.asx

Game highlights (the announcer is not exactly sportscenter worthy- more like what you hear from a high school TV station) : http://nba-boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba ... was_26.asx

I think the webcast for tonnight's final SL game is taped delayed until 8:30.

[76ciology]

Marreese Speights

For the past few months, I've been racking up video archives for Mareese Speights, and I finally got to see his latest game tonight (versus the Wizards).

I noticed that Mareese is in better shape and he's more aggressive than when he was with the Gators. He's face up jumper is money but he needs to develop his back to the basket skills. He's having trouble getting to close range when backing to the basket, and I do believe that his "need to improve his strength" is a major factor for this.

A player that I could end up comparing him with is Antonio Davis on his Raptors' days. Their size is very much similar, a 6'9 PF/C player who's got the length and the strength to play C. On the offensive end, they are both good facing the basket and possess very good mid range shooting ability. On the defensive end, both are good rebounders and are also good shot blockers.

Thaddeus Young

Despite his bad shooting night, he impressed me with his improved ball handling skills. I can still remember last year when he had a hard time bringing up the ball when the opposing team calls for a full court press. Last night, he had no trouble dribbling the ball even with his right hand.

Defensively, It's hard to judge this aspect of his game last night because he didn't have to lockdown a scorer from the wizards. What I can say is that he, and the rest of the team, played good team defense. They forced a lot of turn overs that leads to a lot of fast breaks.

[51X3RF4N]

Marreese is actually between 6'10 and 6'11 from what Stefanski says. And his measurements have always been 6'10 from what I have seen.

Of course, I get the point, but those extra 1-2 inches do make a difference.

[tk76]

Marreese is actually between 6'10 and 6'11 from what Stefanski says. And his measurements have always been 6'10 from what I have seen.

Of course, I get the point, but those extra 1-2 inches do make a difference.

From what I read, Speights is 6'10 in socks. He has a broad frame, and could bulk up to the 260 range easily.

Most NBA centers barefoot hight range from 6'9-7'0. Only Shaq and Yao are much over 7'

Look at the barefoot heights here:
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-dra ... s=0&sort=2

Note that Sheed, Mourning, D. Howard and Okafor are all shorter than 6'10.

As for comparisons-Antonio Davis is a good one. I was also thinking of P.J. Brown in terms of quick/big with a silky 15 foot jumper.

[Sixerscan]

Game archive up (a bit of dead air the first minute): http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/nba/nba ... was_26.asx

I'm just getting that "Live Event" Screen Shot. Any ideas?

[barkley34]

Speights getting some love.

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_twoplu ... ersion_20/

Marreese Speights, PHI – One of the draft’s biggest unknowns, Speights has been a monster all week. He attacks the rim with Amare-esque ferociousness and has been active defensively, all while even sinking a few mid-range jumpers for good measure. In my opinion, Speights has been the most impressive player all week.

[Tha King]

Thad will be fine imo..he's just using this as a developmental stop (shooting more, dribbling more). His ball handling is much improved, and when he kept it simple (one or two dribbles) he easily got by his man. His explosive first step will allow him to create offensive opportunities for himself even with his dribble game not being average yet. If you look at Gay's SL #s last year, Thad's numbers are similar to his.

[Sixerscan]

Plus the role he's playing on this team, being a feature guy and having to create, is so unlike what he's going to be doing during the year that it's not really something to worry about.

[Sixerscan]

Joey Graham is on Toronto's team hahahaha

[freshie2]

It will be interesting to see how soon he breaks into regular rotation minutes. He always seemed to have the potential to be a nice fit based on his size/production last season, but I really didn't expect this much from him in the summer league.

I know Smith has gotten bashed a few times over his summer league play, but he and Speights (and even Evans) really give this team a nice bench behind Brand/Sam. Would still love to see another veteran center brought in, but they are in so much better shape depth wise this season over last. Back to back solid drafts (even if I'm still crying over Koponen and Fesenko!!).

[tk76]

http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/nb ... 051201.asx

[STChaser]

The veteran center could really hinder the development of Smith and Speights. I know we all want to win now but one year of this team playing with Brand and allowing Speights and Smith to develop would not hurt us.

Realistically, I think we're talking about a two year span; one year to acclimate Brand into our system and allow Williams, Thaddeus, Speights, and Smith to grow - and give Iguodala a chance to adjust to playing SG, and another year to fine-tune things e.g. get a PG if Lou doesn't pan out or if Miller leaves, and get a legitimate 3 point threat. This year should STILL be all about getting our young guys minutes and that includes Speights as well - especially based on his consistent performance in the summerleague.

STChaser

[tk76]

The team looks flat tonight. 3rd night playing in a row.

[freshie2]

The veteran center could really hinder the development of Smith and Speights. I know we all want to win now but one year of this team playing with Brand and allowing Speights and Smith to develop would not hurt us.

Realistically, I think we're talking about a two year span; one year to acclimate Brand into our system and allow Williams, Thaddeus, Speights, and Smith to grow - and give Iguodala a chance to adjust to playing SG, and another year to fine-tune things e.g. get a PG if Lou doesn't pan out or if Miller leaves, and get a legitimate 3 point threat. This year should STILL be all about getting our young guys minutes and that includes Speights as well - especially based on his consistent performance in the summerleague.

STChaser

The veteran big would only be for depth, behind the young guys. Someone like Elson, Magliore, Brown, etc. Not looking for a big man starter, but a third center.

[tk76]

Anyone watching?

[tk76]

Thad's playing better tonight.

[docwasoverated]

It is just summer league but Speights looked like a stud. Are you kidding me? He showed more post moves in one summer league game than Dalembert has shown in his career. Step back off the glass jumpers, left handed hook shot, up and under moves. Wait until Moses Malone gets a hold of this kid and refines those post moves and works with his footwork. He looks like Rasheed Wallace with his fluidity and length. Even his release point on his jumper looks just like Rasheed's real high and tough to block.

wow..high praise

[tk76]

He playing right now in the last Summer League game: http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia-live/nb ... 051201.asx

[LongLiveHinkie]

Speights jumper looking on the $$ again.

Thad much better.